There's no doubt Notre Dame has motivation; no doubt the Irish are physical and dominating enough on both interior lines to match up with the Tide. But in big games with everything on the line — and no mitigating factors like a huge, emotional game the week before (see: Tide loss to Texas A&M) — I’m going with the best coach and the best quarterback.

I've seen McCarron make too many big plays in too many critical situations to not think he can't (or won't) do it against the Irish. I've seen Saban come up with defenses that flummox opponents (see: LSU, 2011), to think it won't happen again.

And I've seen enough of Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson to know he'll make one too many mistakes in the face of Saban's complex defenses and blitz packages.

Steve Greenberg's Prediction: Alabama 24, Notre Dame 17

You’re really going to make me pick a winner of Monday night’s national title game?

Not because I’m pro-Notre Dame or anti-Alabama, but because I truly believe the Irish can go toe-to-toe with the Tide. I’m talking about slugging it out—offense vs. defense and vice-versa.

And what would be more exciting for college football on the whole than a slugfest in the championship game that DIDN’T end in a same-old, same-old victory for the SEC? It would be like Joe Namath’s Jets upsetting Don Shula’s Colts so many years ago. For so many fans, it would be a mind-blower.

Athletically, Alabama has elite players at more positions. But it’s not a wide margin. Notre Dame has great players, too.

But, yeah, I know, back to why I’m picking the Tide. It’s for a pair of reasons. One, they’ve still got edges on Notre Dame at most skill positions. Two—as far as I’m concerned, more persuasively—my mind keeps going back to a year ago.

What happened in the title game vs. LSU in New Orleans was every bit of incredible. With a then-green quarterback, AJ McCarron, they came out throwing—completely shocking the Tigers, plus about 80,000 others in attendance. Strategically, it was as brilliant as it was daring.

Defensively, Alabama’s performance was even more awesome. No quarterback has ever been more confused than LSU’s was; no offense has ever been more unhinged; no coaching staff has ever had less of a clue how to adjust.

If it sounds like I’m leading up to a bow-down to Nick Saban rant, I suppose I am. Although I think Brian Kelly has moved into the top echelon of coaches himself.

Look, it’s a tough call. If the Irish win—and they sure might—I’ll wish I’d been more courageous. Until then, I’ll go with the Tide in a close one.